The Stockings Were Hung...

The stockings were all hung on the bookshelf with care...

As I was thinking about what to write my next blog post on, I happened to ponder on my family's Christmas traditions on Christmas morning. I don't know about you, but traditions are big in my family, and we've had one that has stood in place for my entire life. This one will not be changed...ever! It has been hated and cursed but also loved (it all depended on your point of view). As kids we did all the hatin' and Mom and Dad did all the lovin'.


The tradition: We couldn't open any presents (nor touch them) before we were dressed and had eaten breakfast together as a familiy.

What. A. Bummer.

Now that I'm all grown up it's not so bad, but as a kid it was pure torture. It wasn't that I wanted to do nothing but open presents, but I was always so excited about Christmas I couldn't eat!! I was literally gagging on my food I had worked myself up so much with excitement. 

Okay, confession time. Last Christmas was the first Christmas that I remember where I didn't have any trouble eating breakfast! I was so happy. Breakfast was actually enjoyable.

But it's not like breakfast is small either. Mom or someone else now that we're older, will usually make a big breakfast, like a casserole or some other fancy thing. And there's always Orange Julius and hot chocolate...mmm, yummy.

Gunney's stocking at my home.

To be fair, Mom and Dad did allow us to open our stockings before breakfast. Every Christmas Eve "Santa" would take our stockings from where they hung on our bookshelf (they have never been anywhere else) and would fill them and place them on the dining room table for us to find in the morning. Before breakfast would be served, we'd all meet at the table and open our stockings together.

When we were little it was just us opening our stockings. Once we were old enough, we surprised Mom and Dad by filling their stockings. Now it's a yearly thing. We set alarms to wake up in the middle of the night to go look at the presents and fill their stockings. Looking at the presents is another blog post entirely. Anyway, we'd fill the stockings with small treats that we'd picked up and then head off to bed- and not before taking a look at the candy, but never eating. Yes, it was very hard to look and not sample.

Mommy and Daddy Pomeranian...

...And the three puppies.

We always fill the dogs' stockings with raw hides for them to chew on while we open presents. It keeps them busy. However, Toby is totally terrified of things Christmas so he tries to avoid the whole living room. Point: they get to open their stockings as well!

Although I was never a fan of this tradition growing up, now that I'm an adult and mature, I actually like it. I may even start this tradition in my own family in the future.

                        Merry Christmas!!!

The Christmas Bible

Well, it has been quite a while since I wrote anything! Don't worry though, I have not lost my love of all things Christmas! I have been pretty busy and haven't made time to write anything. In fact, I was just shopping this weekend with a friend for some Christmas records for her to play on her record player and I ended up getting a few Christmas CDs of my own! I'm even listening to one right now. It's a country Christmas collection. 

We had a little fun in the "hand-off" of the book!

Back in April I was given a gift from my brother-in-law, Brian. It was a book entitled "The Christmas Bible". He had seen it at work and instantly thought of me (really who wouldn't?). It has everything in it from Christmas menu ideas, to a variety of Christmas treats, and a lot of decorating ideas. It even has a few ways to decorate and make your own wrapping paper! How cool is that??? Will I do that? Who knows but it may just be worth a try!

Some of the food is a little too elegant for my cooking abilities, but it sure is fun to look at different foods that people make for Christmas. My goal is to pick a recipe from the book and try and make it this upcoming Christmas season. What an adventure that will be! Maybe I should try one of the homemade wrapping paper or wreath ideas? The possibilities are endless. I'll keep you updated on my decision!

Since moving I have been given a large bookcase. Can you guess what's on it? Of course, The Christmas Bible! Actually I have a complete Christmas section! It's not very big as many of my Christmas books are still in Michigan (moving really does take forever!).

It didn't take me long to open it and start reading...

I have been looking through The Christmas Bible a lot lately, and I still go to Good Will a lot...and yes I'm still just as bad as ever with how much Christmas stuff I buy! But when it's cheap and in good condition, how can anyone say no?????? I'll have to post more of my finds in another post. They really are awesome! Special thanks to Tasha for helping me find some nice goodies while she and the family were down to visit me last month! That truly made a Christmas in July!

Oh, and going back to my listening to Christmas music...yes it has begun (if it ever ended). Some of my coworkers are no longer surprised when they walk into my office and hear Christmas music playing.

Well, here's to wishing the Christmas Spirit was around more than once a year...

Merry Christmas!!!